Annual study finds support for immigration has dropped for second year in a row
Support for high levels of immigration in Canada has dropped to its lowest level in 25 years.
This is according to an annual report by the Environics Insitute, a Canadian research agency that collects data on government, economic and social issues within Canada, and seeks public opinion through surveys.
This year’s data found that six in 10 Canadians believe that Canada accepts too many immigrants cocmpared with four in 10 in 2023. The 2024 results represent a 14-percentage point increase in negative sentiments around immigration levels nationally, and demonstrate. and demonstrate the lowest level of support for high levels of immigration since 1998.
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The past two years have been a dramatic change from the 2022 report which found support for immigration was at an all-time high following the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, since then, Canada’s economy has recovered 138% of the jobs lost during the pandemic and the national unemployment rate has been rising. This has been a contributing factor to many recent changes in Canada’s immigration systems such as a cap on the number of international students and the introduction of temporary resident levels to the upcoming Immigration Levels Plan.
The Environics survey is based on over 2,000 phone interviews with Canadians over the age of 18. Results were drawn from a sample size of the population accurate to plus or minus 2.2 percentage points.
Support keeps dropping
In the report, support for immigration was noticeably low among respondents in the Prairie provinces. When asked if there was too much immigration in Canada, 63% of respondents from Alberta and 68% of those in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan agreed.
The results also showed less support for immigration among younger respondents than in previous years. This was notable among “Canadians under 45 years of age (up 20 points), compared with those who are older (up 13).”
The results also showed little difference in the opinions between Canadian-borns and first-generation Canadians.
Canadian’s overall support for immigration levels since 1977
As with the 2023 report, respondents noted increased cost of living and housing affordability as key factors in their declining support for immigration levels.
While housing remains a top concern, there was a sharp increase in the number of respondents who believe that immigration is a problem because of poor government management. The report showed that 21% of respondents felt this way, an increase of 10% over the previous year.
How Canadians prioritize immigration categories
Environics says that even among those who say there is too much immigration to Canada, fewer than 1% say that no type of immigration should be prioritized.
The institute says this shows that, like last year, Canadians may have concerns about the volume and categories of newcomers who arrive in the country, but they are “not rejecting immigration outright and consider some categories as beneficial.”
Overall, nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents were likely to support and prioritize newcomers who can work high skilled and in-demand jobs.
Education among newcomers was also seen as a priority (64%).
Comparatively, fewer Canadians believe that refugees fleeing conflict should be prioritized, down 8% from 2023 to a total of 47% for 2024.
There is even less support for prioritizing the immigration of family members of current residents. This showed that only 33% of Canadians support this kind of immigration at current levels . Once again, the decline in support for prioritizing family reunification was strongest in the Prairies.
Support levels for low-skilled workers coming to Canada for the short term are widely unchanged from 2023 results. The report showed that just 28% of Canadians placed a high priority on these workers.
International students also saw slightly less support at 27%. The biggest declines occurred in Atlantic Canada (down 13 points to 27%), as well as western provinces.
Canadian support for categories of immigrants.
Views on immigration and the economy
The study found that 29% of respondents said that the weak economy was a factor in their lack of support for immigration, an increase of four percentage points.
Still, the majority of Canadians (seven in 10) agree that immigration has a positive impact on the national economy.
Most support for immigration’s effect on the economy was found among Canadians with a university education, first-generation Canadians and those who support the federal Liberal and NDP parties.
Support drops sharply among those who vote for the federal Conservative Party, with just 21% saying immigration has a positive impact on Canada’s economy.
Canadian’s views on the economic impact of immigration
Immigration and Canadian society
This year’s report also showed a notable increase in the number of Canadians who believe there is a link between immigration and crime.
There was “substantial” growth in agreement among those asked to agree or disagree that “Immigration increases the level of crime in Canada?” This was especially true in Alberta where 48% of respondents agreed, an increase of 14% over 2023.
Ontario showed a significant increase at 40% (up 19 % from last year) as well as Manitoba and Saskatchewan (both 41 %, representing an increase of 20 percentage points).
Again, in terms of partisan support, agreement with this statement was found to be strongest among Conservative voters (55%). However, more Liberal (up 11%), NDP (up 5%) and Bloc Quebecois (up 2%) supporters agree compared to 2023 results.
How immigration benefits Canadian communities
Despite a more pessimistic view of high levels on immigration, Environics notes that “on balance” Canadians value immigrants in their communities for their contributions.
This view is especially prominent in British Columbia, where 42% of respondents expressed positive views on the local impact of immigration. Nationally, this view was shared by university-educated Canadians (43%) and those who support the Liberal Party (45%) and the NDP (47%).
Given the opportunity to elaborate, 70% of respondents with a positive outlook on immigration said they “value what immigrants bring in terms of multiculturalism and diversity.”
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Annual study finds support for immigration has dropped for second year in a row
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum